Powder dispenser



April 19, 1955 H. e. MOLINARI POWDER DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1951 INVE NTOR. fimry 6 1 /0/1110 April 19, 1955 H. G. MOLINARI 2,706,584

POWDER DISPENSER Filed May 3, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llH "' g. INVENTOR.

Henry (I? lid/Marl DMLL and! KM 2,706,584 rownnn DHSPENSER Henry G. Molinari, Rutherford, N. J., assignor to Becton,

Dickinson and Company, Rutherford, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 3, 1951, Serial No. 224,286

7 Claims. (Cl. 222-235) This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved powder dispenser.

It is an object of the invention to furnish an apparatus of this character whereby desired amounts of powder or other materials may be transferred from a mass of such substance and deposited in receptacles such as bottles, test tubes, etc. The amounts so transferred may according to the present teachings be relatively minute and of volumes corresponding precisely to the mass of material which is dispensed into other receptacles of a given series.

A further object resides in the provision of a machine which will be capable of depositing the desired chemical or medicament in large numbers of receptacles during a relatively small amount of time; the machine being of simple construction, involving comparatively few and rugged parts and operating for prolonged periods of time with a minimum of manual supervision.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a plan view partly in section of an assembly;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view thereof taken along the line 2-2 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view in enlarged scale and taken along the line 33 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a detail of the machine; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line i ;-5-and in the direction of the arrows as shown in As aforestated the present teachings aim to provide a dispensing apparatus for chemicals and medicaments in powdered or similar forms. sure transfer of desired quantities of this material to receptacles such as bottles and tubes of glass. The latter are under ordinary technique sterilized and employed, for example, in the testing or processing of blood. The medicament transferred may, for example, be a blood preservative such as potassium oxalate. Substances having other properties may, of course, also be employed and which would serve as anti-coagulants and other desired purposes.

In the drawings there has been indicated at a receiving tube which may be regarded as illustrative of the type of receptacle employed. Conveniently as shown in Fig. 2 this tube is mounted upon a support 11 which may be in the form of a turntable or other conveyor. The details of the receptacle mounting and moving apparatus have not been illustrated in that they form no part of the present invention. Insofar as the dispensing apparatus is concerned, merely a pair of units have been shown. This is in order to avoid unnecessarily confused drawings. As will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art a single unit might be included as part of the present assembly or this unit might be multiplied by any desired and practicable number to allow of a large quantity of tubes or other receptacles each receiving predetermined charges of powder or other material.

Thus, referring to the apparatus mainly illustrated, the numeral 12 indicates a base upon which a suitably driven power shaft 13 is rotatably supported as at 14. Shaft 13 has secured to it a driving gear 15 the teeth of which are interrupted conveniently throughout more than half of its circumference. This gear serves to drive a gear The apparatus will as- :5

EPatenteel Apr. 19, 13'55 16 the teeth of which mesh with a second gear 17. The latter are secured one to each of a pair of shafts 18 which are rotatably supported by, for example, extensions of a casing 19. The proportion of the parts is such that the teeth of gear 15 meshing with the teeth of gear 16 will serve to impart to both driven gears one complete revolution for each revolution of shaft 13. With the teeth of gear 15 being interrupted throughout a predetermined are it is apparent that there will exist after such rotation of gears 16 and 17, a period of rest on their part as well as the part of shafts 13. This will continued until the first of the series of teeth on gear 15 again engages the teeth of gear 16.

Receptacle I? has a capacity such that it may receive an adequate amount of powder 20 or other material. in view of the fact that a pair of transferring and dis pensing units have herein been shown, the casing has been illustrated as having a pair of openings 21 in its forward face. These openings are preferably below the axes of shafts 13. Each of the latter support agitators 22. It is apparent that as shafts 18 revolve these agitators will rotate within the casing and move through the mass of material in order that no voids will exist within the body of the latter. At this time it is to be understood the timing is such that during the period of dwell or rest of the shafts 18, the agitators 22 will be disposed in positions non-aligned with respect to the openings 21.

An extension 23 is supported by base 12 or otherwise. This extension includes cross bars 24. Slidably supported between these cross bars are a pair of transferring and dispensing assemblies. Conveniently these assemblies are projected by air pressure. To this end the rear cross bar may mount a cylinder 25 within which a piston 26 'reciprocates. An air hose 27 is coupled to the rear end of the cylinder as well as to a valve casing 28. The latter includes a valving and venting structure. The forward end of piston 26 is connected to a frame 29 and a spring 36 extends between this frame and, for example, the rear end of the cylinder. This spring will tend to maintain the frame 29 in retracted position.

Each of the transferring and dispensing units conveniently embraces a tube 31 within the bore of which a plunger 32 is slidably mounted. The clearance between these parts should be adequately close so that powder or granular material may not ride into such space as exists. Tubes 31 have their rear ends secured against movement with respect to the frame 29. Adjustment may be effected by threads and nuts 33. It is apparent that according to the adjustment of these parts the tubes may be axially extended or retracted with respect to the frame 29. The rear ends of the rods extend beyond the adjacent ends of the tubes and are threaded as indicated at 34. They mount nuts and washers 35 at points in advance of the rear framing member. Additionally, they mount nuts 36 at points to the rear of tubes 31. Springs 37 are conveniently interposed between the rear element of frame 29 and the nut and washer assemblies 35.

The latter as well as the units shown at 36 may, of course, include any desired and acceptable elements which are capable of functioning as stops. These stops should preferably be capable of adjustment. For this reason, and as illustrated, nuts will preferably be employed. In any event, it is apparent with the parts properly adjusted if the frame 39 is projected or in other words moved to the right as viewed in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, stops 35 will move out of contact with the forward face of the rear cross member 24. So moved the rods will under the influence of springs 37 be retracted with respect to the tubes. Therefore, their forward ends will lie within the tube bores as shown in Fig. 4. However, too great a retrac tion will not occur because this will be prevented by the nuts 36 acting as stops in cooperation with the face of frame 29. Due to the adjustable nature of the structure, it is apparent that during this movement of the parts the forward rod ends might be housed within the tubes any desired distance rearward of the forward ends of the latter. If the frame 29 is retracted or moved to the left as shown in the figures aforementioned then no relative movements of the rods 32 within the tubes 31 will occur until stops 35 again engage the forward face of the rear cross member 24. When this occurs the rods will be projected within the tube bores; the springs 37 being under these circumstances compressed.

A trough or hopper underlies the openings 21 of easing and extends in the direction of the frame 29. This hopper is conveniently removably supported so that as it fills with powder or other material, it may be periodically dismounted and its contents dumped into casing 19. To the rear of hopper funnels 39 may be positioncd. These funnels present at their upper ends an area such that in conjunction with hopper 38 they bridge the space between casing 19 and the rearmost position 0ccupied by the forward ends of tubes 31 and rods 32, The lower ends of funnels 39 are conveniently constricted to present a diameter less than the neck or mouth portions of the receptacles it The latter are mounted by the supporting structure 11 to underlie the lower ends of the funnels.

A gate db is slidably mounted in advance of the forward face of casing 19 and has openings d1 capable of being aligned with openings 21. A spring 42 is connected to gate to and tends to normally maintain the latter in a position where its openings are not aligned with the openings 2i. As shown especially in Fig. 3, a cam 43 1s secured to shaft 13 and cooperates with a forked portion 4 forming a part of the gate so as to project and retract the latter. A stem extends beyond casing 28 and is preferably spring projected so as to engage the surface of a cam 46 to be shifted by the latter. That cam is also secured to a shaft 13. Finally it will be observed that a tube 47 connected to a sour e of air under pressure is connected with casing Assuming the apparatus is to be operated then it will be understood that receptacles such as it? are disposed upon a suitable support 11 and brought to positions where they will be interrupted in transit with their neck or mouth portions below spouts or funnels 39. Casing it? will contain the material to be transferred and dispensed. With shaft 13 rotating the teeth of gear 35 will cause rotation of gears 16 and i7 and consequently shafts l8 and the agitators 22. carried by these shafts within casing 19. Therefore, the material 2% will be free from voids and also be maintained in a loose and proper condition. As previously described, agitators 22 after completing one cycle or full turn will come to rest at points where they do not intersect the axes of openings 21'. At that moment cam 46 will shift the actuator or stem 45 to operate the valve mechanism within casing 28.

Under these circumstances air will flow through line 47 and into line 2"]. Thus it will enter cylinder 25 and project piston 26. At this instant or immediately prior thereto cam 43 will have shifted gate ll so that the openings 41 of the latter are ali ned with openings 2t. As piston 2s projects frame 29 rods 32 will retract within tubes 31. Those tubes will move forward or towards casing 1? and after the rods are retracted within the tubes to a predetermined extent, they will also more as a unit with the tubes. The forward ends of the assemblies will pass through the openings and 21 into the mass of material 23. This material will lodge within the forward bores of the tubes. The volume so housed will depend upon the adjustment of the rods with respect to the tubes and the consequent amount of retraction of such rods within the tubes.

Cam 46 will new release stem This will serve to disconnect line 47 from line or hose 27 and will vent the latter to the atmosphere. Under these circumstances spring 36 will retract frame 29. Such retraction will result in a corresponding movement on the part of tubes 31 and rods 32 carrying with them the material housed in the forward ends of the former. Continued retraction of frame 29 will result in the steps 35 engaging tie rear member 24 of extension Under these circumstances rods 32 will be projected beyond the forward ends tubes 31. Therefore, an powder or other material within the forward tube ends Will be discharged. That discharge will occur into funnels 3?. Therefore, the material will be transferred to the receptacles During this movement of the parts cam 43 will. have shifted to a position such that gate 41' obstructs openings 2 to close casing 19. Any material which may have spilled incident to the opening of the gate it), adhesion of the powder to the exterior tube surfaces, etc. will have been deposited within trough 38. it may be salvaged from the latter as afore brought out.

With the dispensing of the powder the cycle of operation will have been completed. The agitators 22 will now again complete, for example, one full turn. Thereupon they may come to rest. Thereafter cam 46 will again operate the mechanism within casing 28, etc., etc.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A dispensing machine including in combination a receptacle having a Wall formed with an opening, a transferring and dispensing assembly movable through said opening to extend into said receptacle and retractable to a point beyond the wall of the same, said assembly comprising a tube, a rod enclosed within said tube, means for shifting said rod and tube with respect to each other, agitating means movable within said receptacle and across tr c axis of the opening formed in the wall thereof and means for bringing said agitating means to a position of rest out of registry with that axis.

2. A powder dispenser including in combination an imperforate tube, a rod slidable within the bore of said tube and shiftable with respect to the same from a point where one end of said rod extends at least in line with the adjacent tube end to a point where such rod end is retracted within said bore to occupy a position closely spaced from the tube end, means acting upon said rod to urge the same to such retracted position, said tube borein the latter position of the rodproviding a space the base of which is defined by the rod end and which space is to be completely filled with a relatively minute amount of powder, stop means adjacent the opposite end of said rod for arresting the amount of rod retraction, power means for periodically projecting said rod against the action of said spring and a powder receptacle formed with an opening disposed in line with said tube and the adjacent rod end and through which opening said tube passes into the interior of said receptacle.

3. A powder dispenser including in combination an imperforate tube, a. rod slidable within the bore of said tube and shiftable with respect to the same from a point where one end of said rod extends at least in line with the adjacent tube end to a point where such rod end is retracted within said bore to occupy a position immediately adjacent the tube end, a spring acting upon said rod to urge the same to such retracted position, said tube borein the latter position of the rod-providing a space the base of which is defined by the rod end and which space is to be completely filled with powder, stop means for arresting the amount of rod retraction, a powder receptacle formed with an opening, a reciprocating frame secured to said tube to project the one end of the same into said receptacle through said opening and to retract said tube end to a position spaced from said receptacle, an extension disposed adjacent the path of movement of said frame and means connecting said rod with said extension as said frame retracts to project said rod against the action of said spring and discharge the powder filling of said tube end at a point beyond said receptacle.

4. A powder dispenser including in combination an imperforate tube, a rod slidable within the bore of said tube and shiftable with respect to the same from a point where one end of said rod extends at least in line with the adjacent tube end to a point where such rod end is retracted within said bore to occupy a position immediately adjacent the tube end, a spring acting upon said rod to urge the same to such retracted position, said tube borein the latter position of the rod-providing a space the base of which is defined by the rod end and which space is to be completely filled with powder, stop means for arresting the amount of rod retraction, means for projecting said rod against the action of said spring, a receptacle having a wall with an opening in said wall, said opening being disposed in registry with the end of said tube, power means for projecting said tube into and withdrawing the same from said receptacle and said rod projecting means functioning simultaneously with the withdrawal of said tube.

5. A powder dispenser including in combination an imperforate tube, a rod slidable within the bore of said tube and shiftable with respect to the same from a point where one end of said rod extends at least in line with the adjacent tube end to a point where such rod end is retracted within said bore to occupy a position immediately adjacent the tube end, a spring acting upon said rod to urge the same to such retracted position, said tube borein the latter position of the rodproviding a space the base of which is defined by the rod end and which space is to be completely filled with powder, stop means for arresting the amount of rod retraction, means for projecting said rod against the action of said spring, a receptacle having a wall with an opening in said wall, said opening being disposed in registry with the end of said tube, means for projecting said tube into and withdrawing the same from said receptacle, power-driving means, powder-agitating means within said receptacle and connected to be operated by said driving means and means whereby the operation of said agitating means is periodically interrupted. I

6. A powder dispenser including in combination an imperforate tube, a rod slidable within the bore of said tube and shiftable with respect to the same from a point where one end of said rod extends at least in line with the adjacent tube end to a point where such rod end is retracted within said bore to occupy a position immediately adjacent the tube end, a spring acting upon said rod to urge the same to such retracted position, said tube borein the latter position of the rod-providing a space the base of which is defined by the rod end and which space is to be completely filled with powder, stop means for arresting the amount of rod retraction, means for projecting said rod against the action of said spring, a receptacle having a wall with an opening in said wall, said opening being disposed in registry with the end of said tube, means for projecting said tube into and withdrawing the same from said receptacle, power-driving means, powder-agitating means within said receptacle and connected to be operated by said driving means and means controlled by the operation of said power-driving means for causing a projection and retraction of said tube with respect to said receptacle.

7. A powder dispenser including in combination an imperforate tube, a rod slidable within the bore of said tube and shiftable with respect to the same from a point where one end of said rod extends at least in line with the adjacent tube end to a point where such rod end is retracted within said bore to occupy a position immediately adjacent the tube end, a spring acting upon said rod to urge the same to such retracted position, said tube borein the latter position of the rodproviding a space the base of which is defined by the rod end and which space is to be completely filled with powder, stop means for arresting the amount of rod retraction, means for projecting said rod against the action of said spring, a receptacle having a wall with an opening in said wall, said opening being disposed in registry with the end of said tube, means for projecting said tube into and withdrawing the same from said receptacle, power-driving means, powder-agitating means within said receptacle and connected to be operated by said driving means and means controlled by the operation of said power-driving means for periodically obstructing the opening in said wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 643,942 Caldwell Feb. 20, 1900 795,676 Amrnen July 25, 1905 847,000 Helmold Mar. 12, 1907 1,605,832 Garhart Nov. 2, 1926 1,653,322 Taub Dec. 20, 1927 1,693,261 Sweetland Nov. 27, 1928 1,701,887 Hellmann et al. Feb. 12, 1929 1,795,236 Schupp Mar. 3, 1931 1,904,756 Wooster Apr. 18, 1933 2,161,190 Paull June 6, 1939 2,578,732 Nordquist Dec. 18, 1951 

